Leicestershire-born painter Lemuel Francis Abbott (c.1760-1802) ran a London studio specialising in portraits of naval officers and government officials. His most celebrated work was his portrait (based on a drawing taken from life) of Nelson in the undress uniform of a vice admiral. He produced no fewer than three full-length and around 50 half-length versions, and one of the latter, right, from a deceased estate in Henley-on-Thames came onto the market for the first time in 50 years at the May 28 sale with a tempting £3000-5000 estimate.
Abbott’s Nelson portraits are extremely variable in quality, but this unsigned 2ft 5in x 231/2in (73 x 60cm) canvas, provenanced to Thomas George, Earl of Northbrook, was one of the better examples and sold to a London collector at £56,000.
As for gardens, a 101/4 x14in (26 x 36cm) watercolour, Japanese Gardens, The Plesance, Over-Strand by Beatrice Parsons (1870-1955) was offered on May 9. In untouched condition and entered in its original frame from an Oxfordshire deceased’s estate, this attracted interest from seven telephone bidders before falling for £5200 (estimate £1000-1500), one of the higher prices achieved for this flower garden specialist in recent years.
Heroes and gardens prove they are still to British tastes…
IT’S not all Mod Brit, the modern art market in Britain – there are still buyers who want their heroes and their gardens and during May, Oxford auctioneers Mallams (15% buyer’s premium) were able to supply both markets, albeit at different price levels.
